After President Barack Obama was sworn-in, it was time for the new chief to eat! Here's how you can recreate the "first feast" at home.

On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, after President Barack Obama was sworn-in he joined 200 of Washington's elite for a special inaugural luncheon. The veritable "Who's Who" of Capitol Hill included Supreme Court judges, Cabinet members, and, of course, the newly minted first family and Vice President Biden's family.

As this year marks the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, the menu for this luncheon, entitled "A New Birth of Freedom," draws on culinary traditions from the Lincoln era. What exactly does that mean, though? Honest Abe had simple tastes: Think frontier food. After all, he did grow up in a log cabin.

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Seafood stew, the starter, was selected not only for its historic roots, but also for practical reasons. Kathy Valentine, CEO of Design Cuisine, a D.C. catering company that planned the lunch menu, explains, "We wanted to start off with something warm, especially after everyone had been standing outside for a number of hours." Good call, since back in 1841, President William Henry Harrison caught a cold after his frigid inauguration day from which he never recovered!

The main course, "Brace of American Birds," features Duck Breast with Cherry Chutney, Herb-Roasted Pheasant with Wild Rice Stuffing, and Molasses-Whipped Sweet Potatoes. The birds hail from a small farm in Indiana, a nod to the Land of Lincoln. Dessert is Apple Cinnamon Sponge Cake, which takes inspiration from Lincoln's love of apples, said to be a favorite snack.

Despite all of the media comparisons between Lincoln and Obama, the meal was actually settled on before the results of the November 4th election. Throughout the summer and fall, several menus were developed, and tastings were held. Of course, after the election, the recipes were double-checked for food allergies.

Didn't get your invite? No problem! You can still whip up this fabulous feast at home:

To learn more about this historic meal, visit the site of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. There are details on the floral arrangements, music, and images of Mary Todd Lincoln's White House china, upon which — you guessed it — the meal was served.